Word processing, a systematic approach to office work, is currently based on the use of sophisticated dictating and typing machines. The word processing market is rapidly increasing with the paper explosion brought on by such factors as increasing governmental regulation, Internal Revenue Service requirements, and the need for stockholders to be better informed. In the past, keeping up with the paper explosion has meant hiring more people, but the future will see increased staff productivity as the major way of keeping up. As automation takes places in dictation, typing, micrographics, reprographics, and record retrieval, schools will be required to prepare people who can function in this new environment, including individuals to operate the machinery and managers and executives who will be charged with the responsibility of planning effective use of the equipment. (Suggestions are presented to help business educators design their curricula to meet the needs of the word processing office.) (TJ)